Pam Bylers Road to Recovery
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Most family and friends are aware that Pam Byler is in the hospital. Wednesday afternoon, Tim found her unresponsive. She was flown to Parkview in Ft. Wayne. She was seen by a neurosurgeon there who recommended flying her to IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. The expectation was that she would go immediately to surgery once she arrived in Indianapolis; however, that plan changed once she arrived. Pam's family will be meeting with the neurosurgeon here at 7 am and is scheduled for surgery at 9 am.
Pam has suffered a very large stroke. She had an aneurysm rupture and bleed into her brain. She is scheduled to have the blood clot removed, as well as to have the aneurysm clipped. The area of her brain that has been affected controls her speech and how she moves.
This is day one of what will be a marathon for Pam and her family. Pam has not been awake since Tim found her. She does not move her right side. She has some purposeful movement on her left side.
Ok everybody: FINALLY got to talk to the Interventional Radiologist, here is the plan: As I type, she is in Interventional Radiology having coils placed inside the aneurysm to to stabilize the aneurysm and to
decrease the bleed. After this procedure, she will most likely go back to her room to be observed and then will go to surgery where the surgeon will remove part of her skull and will remove the large blood clot that has formed.
Everyone wants to know "her chances". Numbers are a scary thing and I don't like them much. Three different doctors have three different opinions. As of right now, the neuro surgeon has stated 50% chance of survival. Please do not equate survival with recovery. Because Pam is right handed and because we know where the bleed is, we know without any doubt that her speech and motor skills will be affected. Again, this is the first day of a months long marathon.
What to expect: the procedures
Being performed are very routine procedures to the doctors. Very little chance of causing more brain injury at this time. The first 48-72 hours after her aneurysm burst are the most critical. The residual blood on the brain can cause the vessels in her brain to construct causing more damage. The doctors and nurses have medicines to control that. This can happen up to two weeks after the bleed. She will benefit in the intensive care unit, sedated for that time frame. They will try to reduce as much stimulation as possible. Because of the bleed that she has, there is a 30-40% chance that if not completely fixed, could bleed again within 30 days. This "re-bleed" statistically can happen up to six months from now.
So right now, sit tight. Pam and especially Eldie, the kids and grandkids are going to need your support for the next several weeks.
Ok. The coiling was success. The aneurysm has been stabilized. We FINALLY met the surgeon. Right now Pam is in the 2nd phase of treatment. Pam is in surgery having part of her skull removed to remove the blood clot and to relieve the pressure in her brain.
The new two weeks will be lots of ups and downs at best.
Her visitation will be extremely limited. Only immediate, adult, blood relation will be allowed to see her.
Everyone is asking, "What can I do?" - Start cooking people. This family is hungry. Make some freezer meals and casseroles. The family Eldie and the kids need to eat and not worry about preparing anything for the next few weeks.
Ok, last update for awhile. Just talked with Dr. Payner, the neurosurgeon. He was able to remove the majority of the blood clot. He was able to relieve the pressure in her brain. Now, we wait.
It's good news that the aneurysm has been coiled. It's good news that he was able to remove the blood clot and reduce the pressure in her brain. Keep in mind that while removing the clotted blood, there is also damaged brain as well as healthy brain that is removed. To soon and no way to tell outcome at this time.
Hoping to move the "base" to a close, local hotel. Fully expect Eldie to stay the full two weeks that she's here. We all want to see her, hug her, live on her but what's best for her right now is for her brain to rest. We need to decrease stimulation as much as humanly possible. The most helpful thing for all of you to do now is to support Eldie, the kids and grandkids, they're hurting and broken. Pam is the essence of the family "Rock", she is the anchor.
If anyone comes down, come down knowing that only immediate blood relatives will be allowed to see her.
Pam has suffered a very large stroke. She had an aneurysm rupture and bleed into her brain. She is scheduled to have the blood clot removed, as well as to have the aneurysm clipped. The area of her brain that has been affected controls her speech and how she moves.
This is day one of what will be a marathon for Pam and her family. Pam has not been awake since Tim found her. She does not move her right side. She has some purposeful movement on her left side.
Ok everybody: FINALLY got to talk to the Interventional Radiologist, here is the plan: As I type, she is in Interventional Radiology having coils placed inside the aneurysm to to stabilize the aneurysm and to
decrease the bleed. After this procedure, she will most likely go back to her room to be observed and then will go to surgery where the surgeon will remove part of her skull and will remove the large blood clot that has formed.
Everyone wants to know "her chances". Numbers are a scary thing and I don't like them much. Three different doctors have three different opinions. As of right now, the neuro surgeon has stated 50% chance of survival. Please do not equate survival with recovery. Because Pam is right handed and because we know where the bleed is, we know without any doubt that her speech and motor skills will be affected. Again, this is the first day of a months long marathon.
What to expect: the procedures
Being performed are very routine procedures to the doctors. Very little chance of causing more brain injury at this time. The first 48-72 hours after her aneurysm burst are the most critical. The residual blood on the brain can cause the vessels in her brain to construct causing more damage. The doctors and nurses have medicines to control that. This can happen up to two weeks after the bleed. She will benefit in the intensive care unit, sedated for that time frame. They will try to reduce as much stimulation as possible. Because of the bleed that she has, there is a 30-40% chance that if not completely fixed, could bleed again within 30 days. This "re-bleed" statistically can happen up to six months from now.
So right now, sit tight. Pam and especially Eldie, the kids and grandkids are going to need your support for the next several weeks.
Ok. The coiling was success. The aneurysm has been stabilized. We FINALLY met the surgeon. Right now Pam is in the 2nd phase of treatment. Pam is in surgery having part of her skull removed to remove the blood clot and to relieve the pressure in her brain.
The new two weeks will be lots of ups and downs at best.
Her visitation will be extremely limited. Only immediate, adult, blood relation will be allowed to see her.
Everyone is asking, "What can I do?" - Start cooking people. This family is hungry. Make some freezer meals and casseroles. The family Eldie and the kids need to eat and not worry about preparing anything for the next few weeks.
Ok, last update for awhile. Just talked with Dr. Payner, the neurosurgeon. He was able to remove the majority of the blood clot. He was able to relieve the pressure in her brain. Now, we wait.
It's good news that the aneurysm has been coiled. It's good news that he was able to remove the blood clot and reduce the pressure in her brain. Keep in mind that while removing the clotted blood, there is also damaged brain as well as healthy brain that is removed. To soon and no way to tell outcome at this time.
Hoping to move the "base" to a close, local hotel. Fully expect Eldie to stay the full two weeks that she's here. We all want to see her, hug her, live on her but what's best for her right now is for her brain to rest. We need to decrease stimulation as much as humanly possible. The most helpful thing for all of you to do now is to support Eldie, the kids and grandkids, they're hurting and broken. Pam is the essence of the family "Rock", she is the anchor.
If anyone comes down, come down knowing that only immediate blood relatives will be allowed to see her.
Organizer
Lindsey Baker
Organizer
Lagrange, IN